Endowments
Endowments are long-term investments in UND. They benefit students, faculty, or programs year after year.
The UND Alumni Association & Foundation manages and invests endowed funds. Endowments ensure a dependable income stream for designated areas across campus. Part of the return on your investment is added to the principal to help grow the fund. Doing so protects it from inflation, ensuring your endowment will be supported far into the future. Once an endowment is minimally funded, the University receives a portion of the fund's market value to support the program you choose.
Endowments can be established through one-time gifts, wills & living trusts and multi-year pledges. They can be created with gifts of cash, securities and other assets. An individual or group may establish an endowment and anyone can contribute to an endowment at any time. Gifts at certain levels may offer donors naming opportunities.
Our development team can assist you and/or your professional advisor in creating a fund in accordance with your wishes.
Tax Benefits
There is a federal tax deduction for charitable contributions. Some states, including North Dakota, may issue tax credit for gifts to endowments. If you pay income taxes in North Dakota, you may be eligible for a 40% state tax credit. Consult your tax advisor to optimize tax benefits.
Endowment Summary
Through Dec. 31, 2024
A strong endowment increases the University’s ability to predict one of its revenue streams. It acts as a potential buffer for political or economic fluctuations. An endowed fund continues in perpetuity, so an endowed gift has a continuing impact on the University of North Dakota.
Portfolio
- UND Foundation Endowment: $422,506,499
- UND Endowment: $19,241,980
Total endowment
Progress
- FY20: $278.3 million
- FY21: $366.1 million
- FY22: $352.1 million
- FY23: $380.4 million
- FY24: $422.1 million
Endowment Impact
annual payout of support in millions
- FY21: $9.3 million
- FY22: $11.1 million
- FY23: $11.9 million
- FY24: $13 million
- FY25: $13.9 million
- 5-year total: $59.2 million
Asset Allocation
- Equity: 43.8%
- Fixed Income: 24.8%
- Diversifying Strategies: 18.3%
- Inflation Protection: 13.1%
Performance
net of fees
- Quarter: -0.3%
- FYTD: 4.7%
- 1 year: 11%
- 3 year: 3.8%
- 5 year: 7.2%
- 10 year: 6.7%
Types of Endowments
Student Support
Scholarships: $25,000+
A scholarship recruits and retains students. It provides financial support to fund tuition, fees, books, and room and board.
Faculty Support
Chair: $2.5 million
A chair is the most prestigious named position. This senior exceptional faculty member has achieved the rank of full professor in their field.
Professorship: $1 million
A professorship recognizes a gifted faculty member. They have achieved the rank of full professor and national or international prominence.
Fellowship: $500,000
A fellowship recognizes the University’s desire to support teaching and research. The appropriate Dean and Vice President determine how endowment income is used. They base their findings on the University’s strategic priorities and the academic pursuits of the fellowship holder.
Faculty Support: $25,000+
College/School Support
Excellence Endowments: $5 million
Excellence endowments generate support for the University’s mission. They support the unit's strategic priorities.
VP Initiatives: $2 million
Vice presidents look to the UND LEADS Strategic Plan to drive these initiatives.
Lectureships, Symposia, Panels, Seminars: $500,000 - $1 million
These endowments bring renowned scholars, speakers, or experts to campus. They also help plan symposia, panels, seminars, or lectureships. The endowed fund and the symposia, panels, seminars, or lectureships may carry the name of the donor or someone of his/her choosing. Lectureships may include presentations by prominent faculty on our own campus.